Conservatives braced for losses in Gloucester council election

Gloucester is set to be a key battleground

After 20 years of Conservative control, there could be a change at the top of Gloucester City Council.

It is set to be a key battleground in the local elections on 2 May, as well as in the general election later this year.

All parties think voters will be swayed by national as well as local issues.

One who will not be serving beyond this election is the council's Conservative leader Richard Cook. He is standing down following treatment for cancer.

He said he is proud of the regeneration projects currently underway around the city centre.

Close to the new fountains and benches in King Square, builders are busy constructing new offices, a hotel and a university campus.

Richard Cook is standing down from the council

Nevertheless Mr Cook fears his party will lose ground in two weeks' time:

"There are some seats which are traditionally Labour seats, which for various reasons, the Boris bounce or whatever, in 2021 became Conservative seats," he said.

"They will get some of those back, we'll lose some of those because of the current situation."

Sensing an opportunity are the Liberal Democrats.

Gloucester's Lib Dem group leader Jeremy Hilton (R) says they are sensing opportunity

They are currently the second-largest party on the council, and confident of ousting the Tories, whose supporters are disenchanted according to the Lib Dem group leader Jeremy Hilton.

"They're not very happy with their government, they're completely fed up," he said.

"I think a third of them are probably going to stay at home, some will go and vote Conservative and pinch their nose, and others will be voting for the Liberal Democrat candidates."

Meanwhile Labour have a lot of ground to make up.

Terry Pullen (R) said the current conflict in Gaza has been a 'difficult issue for many in the community'

The last time the city council went to the polls, Labour were reduced to just three councillors.

Then in November one quit over the party's stance on the Gaza conflict.

"Gaza's a difficult issue for many in the community, but remember these are local elections, and we're fighting on local issues," says group leader Terry Pullen.

"Labour have a mountain to climb in Gloucester, but I tell you what, we're seriously on our way with that, and people are telling us that they want change."

The political spotlight will be on Gloucester when votes are counted next month - and later this year at the general election, in a seat which has swung many times between Labour the Conservatives.